Epilogue – 2
I unfolded the letter Ludwig had sent.
His neat handwriting on the high-quality cream-colored paper made me smile.
“I am glad to hear that the Countess is doing well. Each day as the Grand Duke of Rohitham is busy and enjoyable, but sometimes it gets lonely without you.”
How could sentences with such plain words still be so beautiful?
Feeling my expression naturally soften, I pressed my cheeks with my hands.
“I look forward to the day we meet again soon.”
This sentence held my gaze for a long time.
“I miss you so much…”
Recently, I had the chance to visit the Grand Duchy of Rohitham.
I spent a long, leisurely break with Ludwig.
But the moment I left the Grand Ducal Palace, I missed him.
I couldn’t throw a tantrum, saying, “I don’t want to go home,” so I headed home maturely and gracefully.
Sigh.
Love is such an amusing thing.
“What are you reading so intently?”
As I stared at the letter, a shadow suddenly loomed over me from above.
Yikes!
I quickly folded the letter and hid it, then looked up to see who it was—Duke Lopez.
My heart pounded.
Oh no.
“A letter you’re reading instead of engaging in social activities at the club lounge must contain something very important. Am I right?”
Duke Lopez teased me.
Blushing, I shoved Ludwig’s letter into my bag.
Yes, I actually received this letter at home earlier.
But I kept wanting to look at it, so I brought it to the club’s regular meeting.
After greeting the members and briefly engaging in society gossip, I got restless and retreated to a corner to read the letter again.
And he couldn’t leave me alone, coming over to talk to me!
Duke Lopez really has a nasty streak.
“Well, you could say it’s the most important letter in the world.”
I tilted my chin up and spoke haughtily.
Unusually, Duke Lopez’s face softened with a kind expression.
He looked as if he found the young ones’ romance amusing.
I had been fine just a moment ago, but that look made me feel even more embarrassed.
“Anyway, I have a question.”
Duke Lopez sat down in front of me, making himself comfortable.
But instead of looking at my face, he was staring at my left hand.
I followed his gaze and saw he was looking at my ring finger.
After becoming engaged to Ludwig, I wore a ring to signify, “I’m taken.”
It was a simple platinum ring set with a small purple diamond.
It was a gift from Roche, symbolizing the same sentiment as the cufflinks I had given him.
Always thinking of each other, even from afar.
Oops, I got too carried away admiring my ring finger while talking to Duke Lopez.
“Yes, what are you curious about?”
“When are you getting married?”
The timing was quite coincidental.
Just as Duke Lopez asked that, the club lounge fell silent.
His quiet question spread throughout the lounge.
Everyone in the lounge subtly turned an ear our way.
Ugh, really!
“When the time is right, but not yet.”
I replied calmly, repeating what I had said before.
It’s the same line I always give when the topic of marriage comes up.
Of course, I want to marry Ludwig soon and spend every day together.
But I still have things to accomplish in this world of theater.
Until I fulfill those tasks, I can’t take on the role of Grand Duchess.
That’s not all.
If I suddenly handed over the Balthus Grand Theater to someone else and left for the Grand Duchy of Rohitham, how bewildered would my troupe members be?
They joined my troupe, believing in me.
So, I can’t just rush off and get married without considering everything.
…Wait a minute.
Why is Duke Lopez asking this, anyway?
I was taken aback.
“Your Grace, why are you asking this? You already know, don’t you?”
“You’ve never talked to me about this, Countess.”
I glared at Duke Lopez.
Shouldn’t you know without me having to say it?
“Considering the ‘proposal’ you received from me recently, I don’t think you should expect me to leave and become a Grand Duchess anytime soon.”
I argued logically, and Duke Lopez chuckled slyly.
It seems he had nothing to say.
He was just teasing me, wasn’t he?
The ‘proposal’ I had made to Duke Lopez was this:
“I’m going to establish a theater academy.”
One of the ways I chose to keep the theater scene vibrant was by selecting and training talent myself.
Until now, the theater world here mostly operated on an apprenticeship system.
The problems of such a system were evident from Jacob Hennessy’s ‘workshop.’
Exploited labor, not learning properly.
At least in this world, it was like that.
So, I decided to establish an academy and teach properly!
That was my plan.
To expand the theater business nationwide, we need to produce talented individuals.
“I would like you to take on the role of teaching the critique class.”
We also needed many critics capable of delivering high-quality reviews.
Many of the existing critics had ties to the Crestwell Grand Theater.
After I defeated Oscar in our battle, many of them, sensing the shift in power, tried to align themselves with me.
Their attitude of “if you want good reviews, treat me well privately” left me speechless.
This is what happens when things stagnate and rot!
To address this, I thought it best to increase the number of critics. That’s why I wanted Duke Lopez, whom I trusted to provide the most reliable reviews, to take on the class.
Duke Lopez readily accepted.
But then he asks me about marriage?
I kept staring at Duke Lopez.
He couldn’t endure my gaze any longer and, chuckling, left the room.
* * *
A few months later.
“Are we ready?”
“Yes, Director.”
I clasped hands with Anthony, taking deep, calming breaths.
But seeing his trembling hands made me doubt his readiness.
Today was going to be a very hectic day.
First, Ludwig was coming from the Grand Duchy of Rohitham.
My heart had been fluttering for three days, making it hard to focus on work, but as an adult, I managed.
I wanted to drop everything and rush to welcome Ludwig, but I had important tasks at hand and couldn’t let personal feelings interfere.
That would make me no different from Oscar Crestwell.
“This is a big event for me too.”
The big event before Ludwig’s arrival was none other than the academy’s entrance ceremony.
About 300 students were entering their first year to learn acting, playwriting, directing, and criticism for a year.
After that, they would choose a specific major that suited their aptitude.
All 300 students were gathered in the auditorium.
Their ages and backgrounds were diverse, but they all shared a tremendous passion for theater.
Even someone like me, who rarely gets nervous, felt tense today.
“Then…”
I gently pushed Anthony forward.
As our troupe’s star and lead instructor, he was scheduled to give the first speech.
While it’s said that geniuses often don’t teach well, Anthony was a versatile all-rounder and an excellent acting coach.
Word of his prowess had spread even before the academy opened, earning him the title of “most anticipated instructor” in a pre-admission survey.
I listened to Anthony’s speech from behind the stage.
With a trembling voice, he candidly shared how dedicated he was to theater, urging the students to never lose their passion.
“Don’t get discouraged. If you’re prepared, this person will create opportunities for you.”
Oh, it’s already my turn?
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and then stepped up to the podium.
The incoming students focused on me.
I gripped the podium and looked down at the students.
“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I said powerfully, putting strength into my voice.
Smiles appeared on the faces of these future stars who would lead the theater world with me, helping ease my tension.
I had briefly worried about how to introduce myself, but the words came naturally.
“My name is Marlena Balthus, and I love theater and performances just like you.”
As soon as I introduced myself and bowed, applause erupted.
Feeling overwhelmed with joy, I beamed widely.
From being a socialite’s disgrace and a mere duchess in name to reaching this point, it involved many significant events.
I simply mustered the courage and dealt with each challenge as it came, and the result before my eyes shone brightly.
It seems that taking a single step can accomplish anything.
It’s hard to believe all this stemmed from my decision to divorce.
Oh, I’m truly happy I got divorced!
~~Final Chapter of The Regretful Villainess is Happy Because She Got Divorced~~
TL Note: Thank you so much for loving and supporting Marlena’s and Roche’s journey to finding their true happiness. They surely have a great adventure along the way.
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xErzax
I’m pleasently surprised this did not end in their wedding. In these stories is easy for the FL to go into the ML world and stay there; but Marlena found herself, her passion, her world. And while she loves Ludwig she was true to herself and accomplished her dreams first and foremost!